September 2006

In the past, our office has not charged for our prescription refills. We have not done so since we felt it part of the service our office provides. As most patients know, prescription call-ins are not covered by OHIP.

Currently, we request that pharmacies fax the refill to our office. Due to the significant volume of faxes this has become an issue and is affecting the level of service we strive to provide our patients. Each refill requires a review of the chart, documentation, filing and sometimes a call to the patient.

As of September 2006 our office decided to bill for refills secondary to the volume of requests recieved. Patient's can also schedule an appointment or call their Family Physician for the refill.

The charge is $15.00 for prescription refilled per person. Refills can be for up to 4-medications per person. Refills will be given for only medications previously prescribed to patient from our office within the past 12 months. A receipt for payment can be obtained from the office at the patient's next visit (only).

Upon receipt of the payment the office will fax the prescription to the pharmacy. It is the patient's responsibility to ensure that any refills are correctly recorded by the pharmacy.

Billing will also apply to other services currently not covered by OHIP, such as notes and letters requested by the patient. There is a block billing plan available that covers refills, other forms and end expiratory nitric oxide testing.

Charges for Services Not Covered by OHIP

1. Prescriptions:

• $15 per prescription (maximum of 4-medications per prescription)
• Only prescriptions written previously by this office. The patient must have been seen in the previous 12 months.
• Refills are given to cover the time period until the patient's next visit.
• Note that it is up to the patient to ensure that the pharmacy has the refills recorded on their file.

1. Notes or Forms for School or Camp

• $15.00 per note

1. Notes or forms ie Special Drug Coverage or Special Device Acquisition that do require a review of the medical chart and/or a typed letter

• $75.00 per note plus GST

1. Insurance forms that do not require a Medical Examination

• $150 per form plus GST

1. Insurance forms that require a Medical Examination

• $200 plus GST

1. End Expiratory Nitric Oxide

• No charge at this time

1. All other notes or letters that require a typed response. For Example a Lawyers letter. The standard rate is $400.00 per hour (plus GST) of time with a minimum time of 15 minutes.

   If a copy is requested by another party the charge will be the same to that party.

2. Missed appointments will be charged separately ($50.00 per missed appointment ((plus GST)). These must be paid before the next appointment, unless the office was notified 24-hrs in advance.
3. Payment is by cash only.